Protective window and display device including the same

ABSTRACT

A protective window includes a glass substrate which faces a display surface of an image-generating panel and has a thickness of about 20 micrometers to about 80 micrometers; a protective film which faces the display surface of the image-generating panel with the glass substrate therebetween; an adhesive layer which is between the protective film and the glass substrate and combines the protective film with the glass substrate; and a protective layer which covers an edge portion of the glass substrate. A thickness of the protective layer which covers the edge portion of the glass substrate is equal to or less than about ⅓ of a thickness of the adhesive layer which combines the protective film with the glass substrate.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/987,474 filed Aug. 7, 2020, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2019-0105197 filed on Aug. 27, 2019, and allthe benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to a display device. More particularly,exemplary embodiments relate to a protective window and a display deviceincluding the protective window.

2. Description of the Related Art

Requirements and applications for a foldable display device, which canbe bent or folded by a user, are being increased.

A display device includes a protective window that covers a displaysurface to protect a display panel of the display device. In order toprepare a protective window that may be used for a foldable displaydevice, a method using a flexible film formed of a polymeric materialand a method using a thin glass substrate are being developed.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide a protective window for a display device,which may prevent or reduce damage to a glass window or generation ofdust.

Exemplary embodiments provide a display device including the protectivewindow.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a protective window includes aglass substrate which faces a display surface of an image-generatingpanel and has a thickness of about 20 micrometers (μm) to about 80 μm; aprotective film which faces the display surface of the image-generatingpanel with the glass substrate therebetween; an adhesive layer which isbetween the protective film and the glass substrate and combines theprotective film with the glass substrate; and a protective layer whichcovers an edge portion of the glass substrate. A thickness of theprotective layer which covers the edge portion of the glass substrate isequal to or less than about ⅓ of a thickness of the adhesive layer whichcombines the protective film with the glass substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer may include a polymericcurable resin.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer may cover an uppersurface of the glass substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer may extend to cover aside surface of the glass substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective window may further include alight-blocking layer disposed on a lower surface of the glass substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light-blocking layer and the protectivelayer may include a same material.

In an exemplary embodiment, a length of the protective layer may besmaller than a length of the light-blocking layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the protective layer may beequal to or less than about 0.5 millimeter (mm).

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the protective layer may beabout 3 μm to about 12 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, an adhesion force between the protectivelayer and the adhesive layer may be equal to or more than about 400grams-force per inch (gf/inch).

According to an exemplary embodiment, a display device includes adisplay panel and a receiving member in which the display panel isreceived. The display panel includes an image-generating panel, and aprotective window which is combined with the image-generating panel at adisplay surface of the image-generating panel. The protective windowincludes a glass substrate having a thickness of about 20 μm to about 80μm, and a protective layer which covers an edge portion of the glasssubstrate having the thickness of about 20 μm to about 80 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may further include aprotective film which faces the display surface of the image-generatingpanel with the glass substrate therebetween, and an adhesive layer whichis between the protective film and the glass substrate and combines theprotective film with the glass substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the protective layer may bebetween the protective film and the glass substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the protective layer may beequal to or less than about ⅓ of a thickness of the adhesive layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side surface of the adhesive layer mayface a side surface of the protective layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protruding portion of the receivingmember may face an upper surface of the protective film.

In an exemplary embodiment, a side surface of the adhesive layer mayface a side surface of the protective layer. A thickness of theprotective layer may be greater than a thickness of the adhesive layer.

According to one or more exemplary embodiment, a protective layer coversan edge portion of a glass substrate of a protective window. Thus,damage or cracking of the glass substrate may be prevented or reduced.Thus, scattering of fine glass dust generated by the damage or cracking,may be reduced or effectively prevented.

Furthermore, a direct contact of the glass substrate with a receivingmember may be reduced or effectively prevented. Thus, damage to theprotective window due to repeated contacts or impacts may be reduced oreffectively prevented.

Furthermore, the protective layer may overlap a protective film so thata surface of the glass substrate may not be exposed to outside thedisplay device. Thus, a durability and reliability of the protectivewindow may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention will bemore clearly understood from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of adisplay device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of aprotective window of a display device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofa panel part of a display device.

FIGS. 5 to 9 are cross-sectional views illustrating exemplaryembodiments of a display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments areshown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms,and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as beingrelated to another element such as being “on” another element, it can bedirectly on the other element or intervening elements may be presenttherebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as beingrelated to another element such as being “directly on” another element,there are no intervening elements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or“section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein,“a”, “an,” “the,” and “at least one” do not denote a limitation ofquantity, and are intended to include both the singular and plural,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “anelement” has the same meaning as “at least one element,” unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to beconstrued as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or“top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understoodthat relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. Forexample, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then beoriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term“lower,” can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and“upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure.Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented“above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath”can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of deviation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of themeasurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or morestandard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10% or 5% of the stated value.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It willbe further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to crosssection illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described asflat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover,sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regionsillustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes arenot intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are notintended to limit the scope of the present claims.

A glass window of a display device 1 has advantages such as a relativelyhigh hardness, a high stability against a light or the like. However,when the glass window is repeatedly folded or when an impact is appliedto the glass window, a crack may be generated therein. Thus, fine glassdust may be scattered from the cracked glass window.

A display device 1 according to exemplary embodiments will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which someexemplary embodiments are shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of adisplay device 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a protective window 12 of a display device 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a display device 1 includes a display panel10 and a receiving member 20.

The display device 1 may be a foldable display device. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example, the display device 1 may be bended or foldedwith respect to an axis extended along a folding line FL. The displaydevice 1 may further include a hinge member for allowing bending orfolding of the display device 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 1 may have an in-foldingstructure so that portions of a display surface may face each other andnot be exposed to outside the display device 1 when the display device 1is folded. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Inanother exemplary embodiment, for example, the display device 1 may havean out-folding structure so that portions of the display surface mayface away from each other and be exposed to outside the display device 1when the display device 1 is folded.

Furthermore, exemplary embodiments are not limited to the structureillustrated in FIG. 1 . For example, a display device 1 may have anasymmetric configuration with respect to a folding line FL, or a displaydevice 1 may include a plurality of hinge structures so that the displaydevice 1 may be folded at a plurality of axes to define a plurality ofregions of the display device 1.

The display panel 10 may be combined with the receiving member 20. In anexemplary embodiment, for example, at least a portion of the displaypanel 10 may be disposed in the receiving member 20. The receivingmember 20 may be opened at one side thereof to expose the displaysurface of the display panel 10 and components thereof to outside thereceiving member 20.

The display panel 10 includes a panel part PNL (e.g., animage-generating panel or image-generating member) and a protectivewindow 12. The protective window 12 covers an upper surface of the panelpart PNL to protect the panel part PNL. The upper surface of the panelpart PNL may be a display surface of the panel part PNL. The displaypanel 10 may further includes a protective film 16. The protective film16 may be combined with the protective window 12 at an upper surface ofthe protective window 12, by a first adhesive layer 14. The protectivewindow 12 may be combined with the panel part PNL by a second adhesivelayer 18. An image which is generated by the panel part PNL, may betransmittable through the protective film 16, the first adhesive layer14 and the protective window 12, to be visible from outside the displaydevice 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective window 12 includes a basesubstrate 12 a and a protective layer 12 b (e.g., a protective patternwhich partially covers an upper surface of the base substrate 12 a.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base substrate 12 a includes glass(e.g., glass substrate). In an exemplary embodiment, for example, thebase substrate 12 a may include chemical-reinforced glass.

A chemical-reinforced portion may be formed by providing a surface of aglass substrate with a chemical-reinforcing treatment. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example, a surface portion of the glass substrate may beexposed to potassium nitrate (KNO₃) or the like, and then heated, as achemical-reinforcing treatment. As a result, sodium atoms may besubstituted for potassium atoms, thereby increasing a strength of aportion of the glass substrate and provide a chemical-reinforced portionthereof (e.g., the surface portion).

A compressive stress is applied to the chemical-reinforced portion ofthe glass substrate, and a tensile stress is applied to a portion of theglass substrate which is not chemical-reinforced. Thus, a glasssubstrate with increased strength and hardness may be obtained. Thechemical-reinforced portion of the glass substrate may correspond to anupper portion of the base substrate 12 a. An upper portion of the basesubstrate 12 a may include an uppermost surface or the uppermost surfacetogether with a thickness portion extended along a thickness directionfrom the uppermost surface.

A protective window 12 for a display device 1 which is foldable, shouldbe foldable or bendable in response to deformation of the display device1. Thus, the base substrate 12 a may have a relatively small bendingstiffness. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, a thickness of thebase substrate 12 a may be about 20 micrometers (μm) to about 80 μm.When the thickness of the base substrate 12 a is less than 20 μm, thestrength and the hardness of the base substrate 12 a are excessivelyreduced. Thus, it may be difficult to achieve necessary durability. Whenthe thickness of the base substrate 12 a is greater than 80 μm, bendingstiffness may be excessively increased. Thus, a radius of curvature maybe increased, or the base substrate 12 a may be easily damaged byfolding or bending thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer 12 b may be provided atan edge portion of the base substrate 12 a, such as to cover an edgeportion of the base substrate 12 a. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the protective layer 12 b may have aframe shape extending along the edge portion of the base substrate 12 a,in a top plan view.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer 12 b may extend from anuppermost surface of the base substrate 12 a which is at the edgeportion thereof, to cover a side surface of the base substrate 12 awhich is at the edge portion thereof. Thus, the protective layer 12 bmay have a bent shape to cover both the upper surface and the sidesurface of the base substrate 12 a. The edge portion of the basesubstrate 12 a may be exposed outside the first adhesive layer 14 and/orthe protective film 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the base substrate12 a may extend further than an end of the first adhesive layer 14and/or the protective film 16, to define the edge portion of the basesubstrate 12 a.

The protective layer 12 b may include a polymeric material. In anexemplary embodiment, for example, the protective layer 12 b may includeor be formed from a polymeric curable resin. In an exemplary embodiment,for example, the polymeric curable resin may include an acrylic resin, aphenol resin, a urethane resin, an epoxy resin or the like.

The protective layer 12 b may include or be formed by a photo-curableresin. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the photo-curable resinmay include a binder component including a polymer or an oligomer, amulti-functional monomer, a photo-initiator, an inorganic filler or thelike. The binder component may include an acrylic resin, aurethane-acryl oligomer, an epoxy-acryl oligomer or the like. Themulti-functional monomer may include a multi-functional acrylate.

The protective layer 12 b may be transparent or opaque. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example, the protective layer 12 b may include a dye, apigment, a light-blocking carbon particle or the like to block a light.In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the protective layer 12 b mayinclude or be formed from a curable ink or a black matrix material.

The protective window 12 may further include a light-blocking layer 12 c(e.g., light-blocking pattern) combined with the base substrate 12 a ata lower surface of the base substrate 12 a. The light-blocking layer 12c may reduce or effectively prevent a peripheral area of the panel partPNL from being viewable from outside the display device 1, and/or mayreduce or effectively prevent light leakage in a peripheral area or edgeportion of the display device 1. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample, the light-blocking layer 12 c may include or be formed from ablack matrix material.

In an exemplary embodiment of providing a display device 1, theprotective layer 12 b and the light-blocking layer 12 c may be providedor formed in a same process, such as by using a black matrix material.In an exemplary embodiment, for example, a portion of the base substrate12 a is covered by a mask or the like. A black matrix material isprovided such as by spraying, onto a remaining portion of the basesubstrate 12 a except for the masked portion, and then cured to form theprotective layer 12 b and the light-blocking layer 12 c in the sameprocess. That is, the protective layer 12 b and the light-blocking layer12 c may be respective portions of a same material layer on the basesubstrate 12 a.

The display device 1 and components thereof, may be disposed in a planedefined by a first direction and a second direction which cross eachother. In FIG. 2 , a horizontal direction may variously represent thefirst direction and/or the second direction. A thickness of the displaydevice 1 and components thereof may extend along a third directioncrossing each of the first direction and the second direction. In FIG. 2, a vertical direction represents the third direction (e.g., a thicknessdirection). A dimension (e.g., length, width, etc.) of a bezel of thedisplay device 1 may be defined along the first direction and/or thesecond direction.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the protective layer 12 b may have a lengthextended along the horizontal direction. In an exemplary embodiment, alength of the protective layer 12 b may be equal to or less than about0.5 millimeter (mm). When the length of the protective layer 12 b isexcessively large, a bezel size of the display device 1 may beincreased, or the protective layer 12 b may be perceived from outsidethe display device 1.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the light-blocking layer 12 c may have a lengthextended along the horizontal direction. In an exemplary embodiment, alength of the light-blocking layer 12 c may be about 0.3 mm to about 1.0mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the light-blocking layer12 c may be larger than the length of the protective layer 12 b. Thatis, the light-blocking layer 12 c may extend further from (e.g.,terminate at a position further from) an outer edge of the basesubstrate 12 a than the protective layer 12 b. However, exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample, the length of the light-blocking layer 12 c may be smaller thanthe length of the protective layer 12 b, depending on a transparency ofthe protective layer 12 b and a design of the display device 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving member 20 may cover at least aportion of an upper surface of the protective layer 12 b. Referring toFIG. 2 , for example, the receiving member 20 may include a sidewallportion 24 and a protruding portion 22 (e.g., a cover portion). Thesidewall portion 24 extends along and faces a side surface of theprotective window 12. The protruding portion 22 extends along and facesan upper surface of the protective window 12.

The protective film 16 covers an upper surface of the protective window12. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the protective film 16 mayinclude a polymeric material such as polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”),polycarbonate (“PC”), polymethylmethacrylate (“PMMA”), thermoplasticpolyurethane (“TPU”) or the like.

In another exemplary embodiment, the display device 1 may not includethe protective film 16 and the first adhesive layer 14. Furthermore, theprotective film 16 and the first adhesive layer 14 may be defined ascomponents of the protective window 12. The protective film 16 may beexposed outside the display device 1. The protective film 16 may definea display surface of the display device 1, without being limitedthereto.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the first adhesive layer 14 andthe second adhesive layer 18 may include an optical clear adhesive(“OCA”) film, a pressure sensitive adhesive or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective film 16 may partially coverthe protective layer 12 b. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, theprotective film 16 and the first adhesive layer 14 may partially overlapthe protective layer 12 b at inner ends thereof. A portion of theprotective layer 12 b may be exposed outside the display device 1, suchas at an area between an inner end of the receiving member 20 and anouter end of the protective window 12.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the protective film 16 may beabout 20 μm to about 70 μm, and a thickness of the first adhesive layer14 may be about 20 μm to about 50 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the protective layer 12 b maybe about 3 μm to about 100 μm. In an exemplary embodiment, the thicknessof the protective layer 12 b may be about 3 μm to about 30 μm. When thethickness of the protective layer 12 b is less than 3 μm, coating amaterial for forming the protective layer 12 b and obtaining desiredprotecting effects of the protective window 12 may be difficult.

When the first adhesive layer 14 and the protective layer 12 b overlapeach other, the thickness of the protective layer 12 b may be equal toor less than about ⅓ of the thickness of the first adhesive layer 14.When the thickness of the protective layer 12 b is greater than ⅓ of thethickness of the first adhesive layer 14, bubbles may be formed by athickness difference between the two layers, thereby deterioratingadhesion reliability between the layers. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample, the thickness of the protective layer 12 b may be about 3 μm toabout 12 μm.

The protective film 16 may be separable from the protective window 12,for replacement or the like. When the protective film 16 is separablefrom the protective window 12, an adhesion force between the protectivelayer 12 b and the base substrate 12 a may be greater than an adhesionforce between the protective layer 12 b and the protective film 16 inorder to maintain adhesion between the protective layer 12 b and thebase substrate 12 a. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, theadhesion force between the protective layer 12 b and the base substrate12 a may be equal to or more than about 400 grams-force per inch(gf/inch).

An edge (e.g., an outer edge or an outer surface) of the base substrate12 a including glass may be relatively easily damaged or cracked bystress concentration or an external force. In a display device 1 whichis foldable, the receiving member 20 may not include the protrudingportion 22 where a hinge structure is disposed. Thus, a base substrate12 a including glass may be exposed to outside the receiving member 20and/or the display device 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective layer 12 b covers arelatively weak portion of the base substrate 12 a, e.g., an outer edgeand an upper surface adjacent thereto. Thus, damage or crack of the basesubstrate 12 a including glass may be prevented or reduced. Thus,scattering of fine glass dust caused by damage or cracking of the basesubstrate 12 a including glass, may be reduced or effectively prevented.

Furthermore, a direct contact of the base substrate 12 a includingglass, with the receiving member 20, may be reduced or effectivelyprevented. Thus, damage to the protective window 12 due to repeatedcontacts or impacts may be reduced or effectively prevented.

Furthermore, since the protective layer 12 b overlaps the protectivefilm 16, an upper surface of the base substrate 12 a including glass maynot be exposed to outside the protective window 12. Thus, a durabilityand reliability of the protective window 12 may be improved.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofa panel part PNL of a display device 1. In an exemplary embodiment, thedisplay device 1 may include an organic light-emitting display panel asthe panel part PNL. However, exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, a display device 1 mayinclude various display panels as the panel part PNL, such as a liquidcrystal display panel, an electro-luminescence display panel, a microlight-emitting diode (“LED”) panel or the like.

FIG. 4 may illustrate a pixel unit (e.g., pixel) of the panel part PNL,including a light-emitting element. The pixel unit may include a drivingtransistor and a light-emitting element which is electrically connectedto the driving transistor. In an exemplary embodiment, thelight-emitting element may be an organic light-emitting diode.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a supporting film SF may be disposed on a lowersurface of a base substrate 110 to support the base substrate 110. In anexemplary embodiment, the supporting film SF may be patterned to reducestress in a bending area thereof, which is caused by folding of thedisplay device 1 and/or the display panel 10 therein.

A buffer layer 120 may be disposed on the base substrate 110. A firstactive pattern AP1 may be disposed on the buffer layer 120.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the base substrate 110 mayinclude or be formed of a polymeric material to have a relatively highflexibility. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the base substrate110 may include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate,polyether ketone, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyether sulfone,polyimide or a combination thereof.

The buffer layer 120 may prevent or reduce permeation of impurities,humidity or external gas to layers above the buffer layer 120, fromunderneath the base substrate 110, and may planarize an upper surface ofthe base substrate 110. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, thebuffer layer 120 may include an inorganic material such as siliconoxide, silicon nitride or the like.

A first gate electrode GE1 may be disposed on the first active patternAP1. A first insulation layer 130 may be disposed between the firstactive pattern AP1 and the first gate electrode GE1.

A gate wiring pattern GP may be disposed on the first gate electrodeGE1. The gate wiring pattern GP may include a capacitor electrode forforming a capacitor, a wiring for transferring various signals or thelike.

A second insulation layer 140 may be disposed between the first gateelectrode GE1 and the gate wiring pattern GP. A third insulation layer150 may be disposed on the gate wiring pattern GP.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the first active pattern AP1may include silicon or a metal oxide semiconductor. In an exemplaryembodiment, the first active pattern AP1 may include polycrystallinesilicon (polysilicon), which may be doped with n-type impurities orp-type impurities.

In another exemplary embodiment or in another transistor that is notillustrated, an active pattern may include a metal oxide semiconductor.In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the active pattern may includea two-component compound (ABx), ternary compound (ABxCy) orfour-component compound (ABxCyDz), which contains indium (In), zinc(Zn), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), hafnium(Hf), zirconium (Zr), magnesium (Mg) or the like. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example, the active pattern may include zinc oxide(“ZnOx”), gallium oxide (“GaOx”), titanium oxide (“TiOx”), tin oxide(“SnOx”), indium oxide (“InOx”), indium-gallium oxide (“IGO”),indium-zinc oxide (“IZO”), indium tin oxide (“ITO”), gallium zinc oxide(“GZO”), zinc magnesium oxide (“ZMO”), zinc tin oxide (“ZTO”), zinczirconium oxide (“ZnZrxOy”), indium-gallium-zinc oxide (“IGZO”),indium-zinc-tin oxide (“IZTO”), indium-gallium-hafnium oxide (“IGHO”),tin-aluminum-zinc oxide (“TAZO”), indium-gallium-tin oxide (“IGTO”) orthe like.

The first insulation layer 130, the second insulation layer 140 and thethird insulation layer 150 may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride,silicon carbide or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the firstinsulation layer 130, the second insulation layer 140 and the thirdinsulation layer 150 may include an insulating metal oxide such asaluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, titaniumoxide or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the firstinsulation layer 130, the second insulation layer 140 and the thirdinsulation layer 150 may have a single-layered structure or amulti-layered structure including silicon nitride and/or silicon oxide,respectively, or may have different structures from each other.

The first gate electrode GE1 and the gate wiring pattern GP may includea metal, a metal alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide or thelike. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the first gate electrodeGE1 and the gate wiring pattern GP may include gold (Au), silver (Ag),aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg),chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tantalum(Ta) or an alloy thereof, and may have a single-layered structure or amulti-layered structure including different metal layers. In anexemplary embodiment, the first gate electrode GE1 and the gate wiringpattern GP may have a multi-layered structure including at leastmolybdenum.

A first source metal pattern may be disposed on the third insulationlayer 150. The first source metal pattern may include a first sourceelectrode SE1 and a first drain electrode DE1, which contact the firstactive pattern AP1. The first source electrode SE1 and the first drainelectrode DE1 may extend through the insulation layers disposedthereunder to contact the first active pattern AP1, respectively.

A fourth insulation layer 160 may be disposed on the first source metalpattern. A second source metal pattern may be disposed on the fourthinsulation layer 160. The second source metal pattern may include aconnection electrode CE to electrically connect the first drainelectrode DE1 to an organic light-emitting diode 210 disposed thereon.In an exemplary embodiment, the second source metal pattern may furtherinclude a mesh power line to reduce or effectively prevent voltage dropof a power applied to the organic light-emitting diode 210. A fifthinsulation layer 170 may be disposed on the second source metal pattern.

The first and second source metal patterns may include a metal, a metalalloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide or the like. In anexemplary embodiment, for example, the first and second source metalpatterns may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu),nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W),molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta) or an alloy thereof, andmay have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structureincluding different metal layers. In an exemplary embodiment, the firstand second source metal patterns may have a multi-layered structureincluding at least an aluminum layer. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample, the first and second source metal patterns may have a stackedstructure of an aluminum layer and a titanium layer.

The fourth insulation layer 160 and the fifth insulation layer 170 mayinclude an organic material. In an exemplary embodiment, for example,the fourth insulation layer 160 and the fifth insulation layer 170 mayinclude an organic insulation material such as a phenol resin, an acrylresin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide resin, a silioxane resin, an epoxyresin or the like.

The organic light-emitting diode 210 may be disposed on the fifthinsulation layer 170. The organic light-emitting diode 210 may include afirst electrode 212 contacting the connection electrode CE, alight-emitting layer 214 disposed on the first electrode 212, and asecond electrode 216 disposed on the light-emitting layer 214. Thelight-emitting layer 214 of the organic light-emitting diode 210 may bedisposed in an opening of a pixel-defining layer 180 disposed on thefifth insulation layer 170. The first electrode 212 may be a lowerelectrode of the organic light-emitting diode 210, and the secondelectrode 216 may be an upper electrode of the organic light-emittingdiode 210.

The first electrode 212 may function as an anode. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example, the first electrode 212 may be provided orformed as a transmitting electrode or a reflecting electrode accordingto an emission type of the display device 1. When the first electrode212 is a transmitting electrode, the first electrode 212 may includeindium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, zinc tin oxide, indium oxide, zincoxide, tin oxide or the like. When the first electrode 212 is areflecting electrode, the first electrode 212 may include gold (Au),silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt),magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), titanium(Ti) or a combination thereof, and may have a stacked structure furtherincluding the material that may be used for the transmitting electrode.

Portions of the pixel-defining layer 180 define the opening exposing atleast a portion of the first electrode 212 and in which thelight-emitting layer 214 is disposed. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample, the pixel-defining layer 180 may include an organic insulatingmaterial.

The light-emitting layer 214 may include at least an organiclight-emitting material layer, and may further include at least one of ahole injection layer (“HIL”), a hole transporting layer (“HTL”), anelectron transporting layer (“ETL”) and an electron injection layer(“EIL”). In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the light-emittinglayer 214 may include a relatively low molecular weight organic materialor a relatively high molecular weight organic material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light-emitting layer 214 may emit a redlight, a green light or a blue light. In another exemplary embodiment,the light-emitting layer 214 may emit a white light. The light-emittinglayer 214 emitting a white light may have a multi-layered structureincluding a red-emitting layer, a green-emitting layer and ablue-emitting layer, or a single-layered structure including acombination of a red-emitting material, a green-emitting material and ablue-emitting material.

The second electrode 216 may be provided or formed as a transmittingelectrode or a reflecting electrode according to an emission type of thedisplay device 1. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, when thesecond electrode 216 is a transmitting electrode, the second electrode216 may include a metal, a metal alloy, a metal nitride, a metalfluoride, a conductive metal oxide or a combination thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the second electrode 216 mayextend continuously across a plurality of pixel units (e.g., pixels) ina display area of the panel part PNL and/or the display device 1, to becommonly disposed with respect to such pixels. In an exemplaryembodiment, a capping layer and a blocking layer may be provided orformed on the second electrode 216.

The display device 1 further includes an encapsulation layer 220covering the organic light-emitting diode 210. The encapsulation layer220 may extend to cover an entirety of the display area, such as to becommonly disposed with respect to the pixels.

The encapsulation layer 220 may have a stacked structure including aninorganic thin film and an organic thin film. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the encapsulationlayer 220 may include a first inorganic thin film 222 (e.g., firstinorganic layer), an organic thin film 224 (e.g., organic layer)disposed on the first inorganic thin film 222, and a second inorganicthin film 226 (e.g., second inorganic layer) disposed on the organicthin film 224. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the encapsulation layer 220 mayhave a structure including at least two organic thin films and at leastthree inorganic thin films.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the organic thin film 224includes a cured resin such as polyacrylate or the like. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example, the cured resin may be provided or formed froma cross-linking reaction of monomers to include cross-linked monomers.In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the inorganic thin films 222and 226 may include an inorganic material such as silicon oxide, siliconnitride, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide,zirconium oxide, titanium oxide or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, a touch-sensing part 230 (e.g.,touch-sensing layer) may be disposed on the encapsulation layer 220. Thetouch-sensing part 230 may sense input position by contact applied tothe touch-sensing part 230 and/or the display device 1. Thetouch-sensing part 230 may be provided or formed directly on theencapsulation layer 220 or may be provided or formed separate from theencapsulation layer 220 and subsequently combined with the encapsulationlayer 220 as a screen panel after being individually manufactured. In anexemplary embodiment, for example, the touch-sensing part 230 mayinclude a conductive layer including an array of electrodes (e.g., touchelectrodes) and a bridge pattern electrically connecting the electrodesto each other.

A polarization layer 240 may be disposed on the touch-sensing part 230.An adhesive agent or a transparent adhesive film may be provided betweenthe polarization layer 240 and the touch-sensing part 230.

FIGS. 5 to 9 are cross-sectional views illustrating exemplaryembodiments of a display device 1.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a display device 2 includes a display panel 10 anda receiving member 20.

The display panel 10 includes a panel part PNL and a protective window12. The protective window 12 covers an upper surface of the panel partPNL to protect the panel part PNL. A protective film 16 may be combinedwith an upper surface of the protective window 12 by a second adhesivelayer 18.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective window 12 includes a basesubstrate 12 a and a protective layer 12 b which partially covers anupper surface of the base substrate 12 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the protective window 12 may not include alight-blocking layer 12 c disposed under the base substrate 12 a.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in a display device 3, a protective layer 12 b maybe disposed only on an upper surface of a base substrate 12 a withoutcovering or facing a side surface of the base substrate 12 a.

Referring to FIG. 7 , in a display device 4, a protective film 16 and afirst adhesive layer 14 may not overlap a protective layer 12 b. Thus, aside surface of the protective layer 12 b may face a side surface of thefirst adhesive layer 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the protectivelayer 12 b may be adjacent to or substantially contact the firstadhesive layer 14 at a side surface thereof, instead of overlapping thefirst adhesive layer 14, in order to minimize an exposed area of anupper surface of the base substrate 12 a.

Referring to FIG. 8 , in a display device 5, a protruding portion 22 ofa receiving member 20 may extend to the protective film 16 to face anupper surface of a protective film 16. In an exemplary embodiment, theprotective film 16 includes an upper surface which is furthest from thebase substrate 12 a, and at the edge portion of the base substrate 12 a,the protruding portion 22 of the receiving member 20 faces the uppersurface of the protective film 16. Thus, the protective film 16 and afirst adhesive layer 14 may be disposed under the protruding portion 22of the receiving member 20. Furthermore, the protruding portion 22 ofthe receiving member 20 may overlap an entirety of a protective layer 12b (e.g., an entire length). According to an exemplary embodiment,undesired separation of the protective film 16 may be reduced oreffectively prevented.

Referring to FIG. 9 , in a display device 6, a protruding portion 22 ofa receiving member 20 may extend to face an upper surface of aprotective film 16. A protective film 16 and a first adhesive layer 14may not overlap a protective layer 12 b. Thus, the protruding portion 22of the receiving member 20 may overlap an entirety of a protective layer12 b.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the protective layer 12 b maybe greater than a thickness of the first adhesive layer 14. In anexemplary embodiment, for example, an upper surface of the protectivelayer 12 b may contact a lower surface of the protruding portion 22 ofthe receiving member 20. A space above the base substrate 12 a may bedefined by inner surfaces of the receiving member 20, end side surfacesof the first adhesive layer 14 and the protective film 16, along withthe base substrate 12 a. Referring to FIG. 9 , the protective layer 12 bmay fill such space, without being limited thereto.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first adhesive layer 14 does not overlapthe protective layer 12 b. Thus, bubbles caused in an overlapping areaby a step may be reduced or effectively prevented. Thus, the protectivelayer 12 b may be allowed to have an increased thickness.

According to one or more exemplary embodiment, undesired separation ofthe protective film 16 from other layers within the display device 1,may be reduced or effectively prevented. With reduced separation of theprotective film 16 from other layers, an impact resistance of theprotective window 12 may be improved.

Exemplary embodiments of the display device 1 may be applied to variouselectronic display devices. One or more exemplary embodiment may beapplied to a vehicle-display device, a ship-display device, anaircraft-display device, a portable communication device, an informationtransfer device, a medical display device, etc.

The foregoing is illustrative of exemplary embodiments and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments have beendescribed, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings of the invention.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that theforegoing is illustrative of various exemplary embodiments and is not tobe construed as limited to the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed,and that modifications to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, as wellas other exemplary embodiments, are intended to be included within thescope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims andequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective window comprising: a glass substratewhich faces a display surface of an image-generating panel and has athickness of about 20 micrometers to about 80 micrometers; a protectivefilm which faces the display surface of the image-generating panel withthe glass substrate therebetween; an adhesive layer which is between theprotective film and the glass substrate and combines the protective filmwith the glass substrate; and a protective layer which covers an edgeportion of the glass substrate, wherein a thickness of the protectivelayer which covers the edge portion of the glass substrate is equal toor less than about ⅓ of a thickness of the adhesive layer which combinesthe protective film with the glass substrate.
 2. The protective windowof claim 1, wherein the protective layer includes a polymeric curableresin.
 3. The protective window of claim 1, wherein at the edge portionof the glass substrate, the protective layer covers an upper surface ofthe glass substrate.
 4. The protective window of claim 3, wherein at theedge portion of the glass substrate, the protective layer extends fromthe upper surface of the glass substrate to cover a side surface of theglass substrate.
 5. The protective window of claim 3, further comprisingat the edge portion of the glass substrate, a light-blocking layerfacing the protective layer with the glass substrate therebetween. 6.The protective window of claim 5, wherein the light-blocking layer andthe protective layer include a same material.
 7. The protective windowof claim 5, wherein at the edge portion of the glass substrate, a lengthof the protective layer is smaller than a length of the light-blockinglayer.
 8. The protective window of claim 7, wherein at the edge portionof the glass substrate, the length of the protective layer is equal toor less than about 0.5 millimeter.
 9. The protective window of claim 1,wherein a thickness of the protective layer is about 3 micrometers toabout 12 micrometers.
 10. The protective window of claim 1, wherein anadhesion force between the protective layer and the adhesive layer isequal to or more than about 400 grams-force per inch.